The High Point Schools Partnership had the privilege of sitting down and talking with Marcus Gause, principal of T. Wingate Andrews High School. Though education was not Gause’s original career path, his past 17 years in education have proved his dedication and love for his students. Originally from a small farming community in North Carolina, Gause struggled a lot academically. Since inclusive education was not widely available in his hometown Gause had to work against the grain to become the first in his family to attend college. It was challenging such as these that have made Gause push hard for all of his students, understanding the struggles that go on under the surface.

Though Gause struggled early in school he did not let this stand in his way of receiving a plethora of higher education accolades. A B.S. in Manufacturing Systems, Masters in Industrial Technology, Masters in School Administration, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership are all parts of what make Gause the well-educated and highly respected educator he is today. Before entering the field of education Gause was an engineer at an aerospace company in D.C. Years later he met his wife, got married, and started his career as an educator in Durham county schools as a substitute teacher. Gause remained in this school district for three years where he served as a substitute teacher, Exceptional Children teachers assistant, ISS Coordinator, math teacher, and did his administrative internship. After leaving the Durham area for the Greensboro/High Point area where Gause is currently in his 14th year in administration. While an employee of Guilford County Schools, Gause served as the Assistant Principal for Dudley High School for 3 years, worked in the Central Office as a Title 1 Program Specialists, middle school principal, and worked at GCS Middle College. For the past four years, Gause has been the principal at Andrew’s High School.

Gause spoke incredibly highly about his home school of Andrews High School and was eager to tell us about all the good they have going on. The first program he wanted to highlight was brought to them by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Andrews has been given a full-time college advisor who helps students through the college application process. This week alone, High Point University and Greensboro College have visited the school and a college and career fair has been held for military, colleges, and universities to speak directly to students and families. While all of the excitement about a future is fresh for the students, the college advisor collects information that will later be used to help with collegiate onboarding forms. Gause also wanted to highlight the “Ladies of Andrews” and “Men of Andrews” programs that are available to students. These meetings feature speakers and lessons surrounding such topics as table etiquette, how to dress for interviews, resumes, cover letters, and interview skills. Once the lessons have been completed there is a “round-robin” with businesses to practice the skills the students have just learned. This final event has been supported by vendors who pay for students to receive interview suits and a catered dinner to practice etiquette skills.

Gause didn’t stop at these incredible programs, he continued on to share more about Andrews.

Line Dance Friday has quickly caught the eye of many students who want to try something new. This month in particular, Hispanic and Latin X culture is at the center of the music and dance. Next month the students will go around the world learning about a number of different countries by learning their music and dance. This is just one of the many ways Gause tries to affirm and celebrate the many different cultures and life experiences of his students. It was this goal that pushed Gause to attend the American National Standards Institute where he learned how to make all curriculum equitable and inclusive. He is planning on having a whole period with no English, teachers, and materials will be in another language spoken at the school to give native-English speakers a chance to relate to their peers.

Thank you Marcus for sitting down and talking with us. We look forward to continuing to talk with and highlight different High Point principals and all the good going on at their school.